Thermostatic valve for engine coolants



Oct. 19, 1954 s. D. BUTLER, JR

THERMOSTATIC VALVE FOR ENGINE COOLANTS Filed July 19, 1950 2 Shee'ts-Sheet 1 Smediey bf z zg n Jr:

' QQQ. TTORNEYS;

Oct. 19, 1954 s. D. BUTLER, JR 2,692,086

THERMOSTATIC VALVE FOR ENGINE COOLANTS Filed July 19, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 90 34 .2 35 fig- 37 k 79/ I a i9 (9.7

Vaz 7 $6 I;//00

Patented Oct. 19, 1954 UNITED vSTATES PATENT O F ICE THERMOSTATIC VALVE FORVENGINE COiOLANTS smedley'DyButler, J r.',' Philadelphia; Pa. -Application July v19, 1950, Serial No. 174,768

4i-'Claims.

- 1 The present invention relates to-coolant-systems of automatic type, suitable for use 'onauto- -mobiles, aircraft, diesellocomotives 'orwherever liquid cooled engines are employed.

" A purpose of the invention isto provide a very simple filter to break upand-remove'solid matter inengine cooling systems; separating the-same by filtration and also by sedimentation; and" desirably having full-flow and-full contact with the coolant medium.

A further purpose is to introducethe coolant through a riser tube from an inlet connection," to carry the coolant out over the "top-'ofthe'riser tube, to bring the coolant successively preferably through a-perfor'ated plate 'and'then a fine filter depending from the housing in paraboloid form,

and then to withdraw the liquid "from anoutlet connection below the fine filter's'creen.

A- further purpose'is to entrap solidsin a sump,

'desirably throwing the heavier material to the outside by centrifugal force, and preferably em- A'further purpose isto'utilize the scoop=' prin- ".ciple to retainparticles in the sedimentation housing, making the upper sides 'of the side openings of the housing outwardly-bulging be- "yond the lower sides.

- static relief valve to operate also for pressure relief.

' Further. purposesappearin the specification and in the claims.

' In the drawings I have chosen to illustrate a few only of the numerous embodiments in which my invention may appear, selecting the forms shown from the standpoints of convenience in illustration, satisfactory operation and clear demonstration of the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a perspective of the filter of the present invention installed in an automotive engine, the other parts of the engine being skeletoniz'ed.

2 "Figure 2 is a central "vertical sectionthr'ough the preferred'e'mbodiment of the filter of the invention.

Figure. 3 is a section of 'Figure'2 'on'ithei' line Figure 3 is an'enlarged fragmentof Figure 3. Figure 4 is an exploded vertical sectional perspective showing the separation of .the' parts .of

the filter of Figures Zand 3.

Figure 5 is a detachedsperspectiveshowing a variation 'inthe sump sedimentation unit.

Figure 6"is a'view corresponding to Figure 2 "butshowing a variation.

Figure 7 is a section ofFigure 6 on the line i -1. Figure 8 is a fragmentary exploded perspective "of one 'of the toggle arms andone ofthe' valve stems of Figures 6 and 7.

Figures 9 and" 10 'are'fragm'entarysections correspondingto Figure 6 showing the'valves indif- "ferent operating positions.

Figure 11' is a fragmentary axial section'similar to Figure 2 but showing a variation.

"In the "drawings like numbersrefer to like parts. Great difficulty has been encountered in liquid coolingsystems'of engines dueto the presence of foreign matter, either scale fromthe' water; rust -or' corrosion products 'from"thei.enginef components "or extraneous matter such as dirt. YEven "before actual cloggingis' produced; these. ls'olids 30" reduce theeificiency'of the'enginaand when ac- 'tu'al-clogging results, "they may completely interfere with engine operation 'by causing excessive overheating. 'Much'expense is involved iniicorrectingthe diificulty through reverse" flushing of the radiator and eventually rodding out of the radiator tubes.

' 'The' device of the present invention is designed to overcdmethis difiiculty' by holding'scale and other'solids:- in a filter chamber indefinitely if such products are hard and resistant, or holding them until they are broken up by. hydraulic forces if'the products are soft andffriablepf I further remove solids even below thesize ofrthe filter openings -by centrifugal force and-esedimentation.

' Sinceth'e' circulation is very frequent, .each portion "of the coolingi liquid desirably passing through the" filter several. times. per lininute it will be recognized that a very"frequent-removal of objectionable solids is accomplished. Unlike many filters, the filter of. the present inventionis employed on-the full-flow principle, sothatall portionsof the liquids-have fulLcontact-withthe -filter. The amount. of scale formation .isdefi- "nitely reduced by" the filter since scale is encouraged by overheating and the filter will reduce overheating.

The device of the invention provides very conveniently replaceable units for the filter itself and for the sedimentation structure. The sedimentation structure may provide for chemical treatment if desired, for example to inhibit corrosion, as by inclusion of copper sulphate crystals.

In case of clogging of the filter, thermostatic short circuiting may optionally be provided as shown, and in one of the forms this is combined with a thermostatic control for the system and with a pressure short circuit.

Considering the structure of Figure l, the filter casing is supported in any suitable manner as by bracket 2| attached to any convenient portion of the engine. Inlet connection 22 enters at the lower portion, and outlet connection 23 is positioned above. as by hose 24 to the outlet connection 25 of the cylinder block of the engine and outlet connection 23 is united as by hose 26 to inlet connection 2? of radiator 28.

It will be understood that any of a wide variety of inlet and outlet connections and fastenings may be employed, with or without reduction of size to fit the required hoses. The modifications normally required by a V or other double bank engine are illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

As best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the filter casing 20 has side walls 30 and a suitably integral bottom wall 3| to which is secured a suitably central assembly bolt 32 extending up through the casing. At the top, the casing is outwardly enlarged at 33 and receives a top or closure cap 34 having an annular upward ridge 35 useful in streamlining the flow as later explained. A flange 36 is provided at the outer edge and the top or closure is sealed by gasket 31. A thumb nut 38 on the threaded upper end of the assembly bolt 32 holds the top in place, there being an opening 40 in the top to pass the bolt.

The casing as shown is annular to gain the advantage of such swirling or centrifugal action as is possible, which will throw the solid particles toward the outside.

A suitably tubular riser 4| makes telescoping connection at 42 at the bottom with the upwardly directed end of the L-shaped inlet connection 22. The riser is desirably centrally located in the housing and terminates at 43 below the top and in line with the center of the annular ridge 35 which provides streamlining of reverse flow.

The riser 41 is secured to a downwardly directed flange 44 on a downwardly conical perforated plate 45 which carries at its outer edge an upward flange 46 suitably engaging inside the casing. There is thus a downwardly and inwardly annular sloping contour of the plate 45.

Surrounding the riser and suitably extending annularly from the riser to the casing, is a screen 41 desirably of Paraboloid form, which constitutes the main filter. The screen 4'! may suitably be of metallic wire mesh smaller than the smallest tube in the radiator. convenient to employ mesh of about one-sixteenth inch with a wire size of about 0.010", but it will be understood that other mesh and wire sizes or layers of screens may be used. The generally paraboloid form provides an entrapment space 48 inside the screen 41 and around the riser, below an upper rim 50 on the screen and above a bottom portion 5| which hugs the riser but is not fastened thereto where it is to be removed from the riser to replace the screen.

It has been found 7 Inlet connection 22 is joined 7 4 As well shown in Figure 2, the upper rim 50 of the screen is well above the top of the riser while the bottom portion 5| hugging the riser is well below the top of the riser.

The rim 5|] seats in the annular recess 33 at the top of the casing and the flange 48 on the perforated plate 45 fits immediately inside, both of them being pressed down by gasket 31. The riser is therefore supported by the engagement with the casing at the outer edge.

From the screen 41 the liquid flows into a discharge chamber 52 between the casing and the riser, and below the filter screen 41. At this point the liquid is deflected over to the side to discharge connection 23. Due to the annular construction and the deflection to the side there is freedom for swirling to take place in the discharge chamber which tends to throw the particles in the liquid downward and to the outside due to centrifugal action.

Immediately below the bottom of the discharge chamber 52 is a sump 53 which sediments and holds many of the particles. In the sump flow is extremely slow compared to the rapid flow in the discharge chamber above. The sump is preferably not open but it is filled by a particle absorbing sedimentation unit 54 as seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, which will include chemicals in one embodiment of the invention.

The sedimentation unit is desirably an incomplete annulus or partial moon shape, broken at 55 to provide for the inlet (or outlet) connection. When the top 34 is removed and the filter screens and riser are taken out the sedimenting unit 54 can be lifted out bodily and replaced.

The sedimenting unit 54 desirably comprises a casing 56 suitably of sheet metal and a desirably fibrous filling 51.

The casing may as shown consist of a sheet metal top 58 provided with holes 69, and screen wire 6! on the sides and bottom.

The filling may conveniently be of fiber glass, glass wool, mineral wool, metallic wool, or cotton waste and the filling will desirably be of fine material 62 near the outlet and of coarser material 63 remote from the outlet so that a filtering action Will be exerted on liquid passing to the outlet through the sump. The distinction can conveniently be made by using coarse and fine fiber materials of the same character remote from the outlet and near the outlet respectively, or by using different materials, for example fine glass wool near the outlet and coarse wool or waste remote from the outlet.

Figure 5 shows a variation in the sedimentation receptacle in which the casing 56 is of sheet metal throughout, provided with relatively coarse holes 58 remote from the outlet, holes of intermediate size 58 nearer the outlet and holes of very fine size 58 close to the outlet.

On the sides holes 58 are provided at the portion remote from the outlet which are outwardly bulged at the top at 64 to assist in retaining particles in the interior of the sedimentation unit by scoop effect. There is no bulging of the lower portion of the openings.

The form of Figures 1 to 4 shows an optional thermostatic relief valve for use in case the filter becomes clogged. Ports 65 extend through diametrically opposite positions on the riser connecting the interior of the riser with the outlet space 52 and thus short circuiting the filter screen 41. Valves 66 cooperate with the outside of the ports. As shown in Figures 3, 3 and 4, the

valves are of arcuate contour toconform withthe curvature of the outside of the riser.

Inwardly extending stems- 61' secured to the valves are guided in openings 65 in the riser and? carry eyes 6'! which engage the ends of a tension spring- 68 interconnecting the valve stems. To avoid interference with bolt 32 and to permit it tobe located centrally, the valve stems are oifset as shown in Figure 3.

A suitably metallic bellows thermostatic element- I0. occupies the space inside the coil of spring BBbetween the eyes 61 of the valve-stems; The bellows may be of the usualexpanding metallic or non-metallic thermostatic bellows material, such as bronze or beryllium copper, rubher or synthetic rubber, filled with a volatile liquid which will cause the bellows to expand against stems 61 when a predetermined temperature is reached. Without limitation as to the character of the liquid, ether may be mentione'd'as one example, and it will be understood that many other thermostatic bellows liquids operating at various temperature ranges are well known in the art. The stems 61 may if desired be adjusted with respect to the valves by changing the position of threaded adjustments 61 after releasing a locking nut 61 In operation, the filter is connected up as shown in Figure 1, desirably at a position above the highest point of the radiator so that it can be opened for inspection at any time without draining the radiator. To prevent air binding of the system, an air release tube II is shown passing through the outlet in Figure 2 and suitably connecting as by a branch to the air release tube in the radiator. The top of the tube H will be above the normal water level in outlet chamber 52.

The cooling liquid from the engine block (such as water) will pass into the filter through inlet connection 22 and through the riser. If the temperature conditions are normal, valves 66 will be closed, but if the temperature conditions rise to an abnormal value, as for example due to clogging of the filter, the thermostatic element acting against the tension spring will cause the valves 66 to open. It will be understood that all the water of the cooling system will pass through the riser under normal conditions and be discharged through perforated plate 45 and then through filtering screen 4?. Solid material of size large enough to be troublesome will be deposited on screen 47, and if it be hard, will remain there indefinitely. If, however, the scale be soft, the rapid flow will cause the.

scale to break up into fine material which willv ple 70 gallons per minute or more) which will occur in the main filter. Particles in the sump will progressively enter the openings in the sump sedimentation unit and be held ofi by sedimentation and filtering action in the fiber at the-interior of the sump receptacle. neling or direct flow to the outlet from the sump will preferably be' discouraged by'the' small-holes Chan toward the outlet in Figure- 5 and by the" scoop effect at" the side openings;-

When the filter has completed-its campaign,

the top is readily removed, and the perforated plate, fine screen and riser are takenout. Thefine screen will be replaced when necessaryand.

the sump sedimentation unit will normally be replaced annually. Screen cleaning or replacementis not required frequently; since. in many cases under normal conditions: the screen. will.

operate successfully" for about 20,000 miles in automobile use. It will bezevident: thatireplacement of the screen: is very easy as it is. merely slipped ofi. the. bottom of the riser, expanding to'pass over thevalves. 66; or it canbe replaced.

as a: unit withthe perforated plate or riser;

At intervals prior to the time of replacement,

routine inspection. of the; filter can be accomplished by simply lifting off the cover and: examining screen 4! through the openings: in the perforated plate.

The form of Figures 6=tol0 inclusive illustrates a modification in respect to the attachment of.

the. cover, the dual purpose thermostaticv valve construction and the inlet and outlet fittings.

For dual purposes, the special features of this formmay be required but the form of Figures- 1 to 4 with the .sedimentation unit of Figure 5 is preferred.

Illustrated: in Figures 6 to 10, inlet fitting 22 is a T having branches l2. and 13 which can readily be connected to the separate blocks of a double bank or V engine. adjustable as to angular relationship, since it has a threaded inner end 14 which engages an inner nut '15 and is secured in place. by an outer nut 76 acting. against a gasket H and washer 18. Inside casing 20 an L 80. extends upwardly and. makes telescoping connection with riser 4|.

The outlet fitting 2.3 is of' similar character, being threaded at BI and held in place by an inner nut 82 and an outer nut 83 acting against a gasket 84 and a washer 35. outlet may also be connected by standard compression type fittings.

To illustrate the capability of using reducing fittings, fitting 23' is shown as a reducer, and

fitting 22 is shown as provided with a reduction on one branch of the T.

In the formof Figures 6 to 10', the cover 34" Mean outer'flange 86-which is bolted at 3'! to lugs 88 on the outside of the casing. The construction of perforated plate 45 and fine screen.

t! is essentially the same in Figures 6 to 19 as in the otherv figureaand the same form ofisump andv sump sedimentation unit may be used.

Thevalve arrangement is different in this form, it being the intention to replace the regular engine thermostat by the thermostatic control of the present invention. In this form a main valve port 90 having a-valve'seat 5:! is provided across the riser, the valve seat cooperating with main valve 92 on the outlet side of the valve seat when the valveis closed. Valve 92 acts as the main engine thermostat, being controlled. from thermostatic bellows 93, suitably of the volatile fluid type, by direct connection with actuating rod 94 at. the axis. Thermostatic bellows 83 is. mounted on spider Siextending. across the center of the structure.

A lost motion longitudinal slot 95v isprovided in operatingrod. G l suitably behind thelocation of." transverse'valve ports 9'! having valve seats.

98which cooperate in closed position with valves The fitting is Both inlet and 7 located onthe outside; Valves H are suitably curved to conform to the outside of the riser as best seen in Figure 7.

Each of the valves Hill has a valve stem ml which in this case may be central as no bolt passes through the center of the structure. The stems are guided at ID! on the riser. Each of the valve stems at its inner end has a hook openin Q82 which engages a tension spring H33 (Figure 8) pulling the valves toward closed position.

Each of the valve stems at its inner end has a longitudinal lost motion slot I04. Lost motion toggle arms Hi5 extend from a common pivot pin H in the forward position of lost motion slot 96 to a pivot pin H37 in the outer position of one of lost motion slots H34, in the closed position of all valves.

Thus when thermostatic bellows 93 begins to expand as shown in Figure 9, operating rod 9 moves longitudinally to open valve 92 without opening valves Hi9, due to lost motion slot 96 which is not yet taken up. Figure 9 shows the position when lost motion at 94 has just been taken up. When thermostatic bellows 93 further expands as shown in Figure 10, having taken up the lost motion in slot 96, toggle arms m5 push outwardly against tension spring I03 and open valves Hit, thus short circuiting the filter in the case of very abnormal high temperature.

Due to the presence of lost motion slots I04, if an abnormal pressure develops, valves it can open due to this pressure at any time without waiting for an abnormal rise in temperature. The

extent of opening pressure will be controlled by spring I03, and it has been found desirable to use a spring light enough so that the relief valves m9 will open at a pressure of less than 5 p. s. i.

In operation of the form of Figures 6 to 10, it will readily be connected up, replacing the fittings easily with other fittings if special adaptors are required on the particular installation. With any fitting used the angular relationship can readily be changed.

The operation will be essentially that of the other form described except for the difference in the valve construction. In starting up the engine, unless abnormal conditions arise, valve 92 will remain fully closed until the thermostat expands to the position approaching that of Figure 9, at which point valve 92 Will open and under normal conditions the operation will then be like that of Figures 1 to 5 inclusive. Should an abnormal pressure develop, the relief valves !09 will open under pressure actuation due to lost motion slots I04. On the other hand should a very abnormal temperature arise, further expansion of the thermostat will open relief valves ltd as shown in Figure 10.

In some cases it may be preferable to bring the inlet connection in immediately below the center of the riser, and this form has been shown in Figure 11. In Figure 11 the casing 30 has a lower inlet well Hi8 which telescopes with the lower end of riser 1!, and which receives inlet connection 22 from the side. Outlet connection 23 is accordingly moved down to near the bottom of the main body of housing 30' and adequate space for flow to outlet connection 23 is provided by the separation at 55 in the U-shaped portion of the sedimenting unit 54.

The operation of the form of Figure 11 is substantially the same as that of Figures 1 to 5 except that the amount of space for quiescent sedimentation in the sump is considerably reduced'in' the form of Figure 11.

In the form of Figure 11 a single relief valve 66' is provided, similar to that of Figures 1 to 4 except that it is larger in size, the opposite side being anchored to a stem H0, on the riser.

It will be evident that the device can be used in a wide variety of situations, to fit any existing or special liquid cooled engine.

It will be evident that in the device of the invention the inlet and outlet are desirably placed close together and one below another or one slightly out of line with another, so as to facilitate connection to the engine and the radiator.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual ,whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a coolant filter, a tube through which liquid is carried connected to the inlet on the inside and to the outlet on the outside, walls forming opposed valve openings from the tube, opposed valves acting against the outside of the valve openings in closed position, a tension spring interconnecting the valves and urging them toward closure and a thermostatic element inside the spring and acting against the spring to open the valves.

2. In a coolant system, walls forming a passage through which coolant is circulated, a first valve seat in the passage, a first valve acting against the first valve seat on the side toward which the flow is directed, a thermostatic element in contact with the liquid in the passage, connected with the first valve, and acting in the direction to unseat the first valve, walls forming a second valve seat in the side wall of the passage, a second valve seating against the second valve seat on the outside, spring means urging the second valve toward seating position and a lost motion lever connected from the thermostatic element to the second valve for opening the second valve after the first valve has been unseated.

3. In a coolant system, walls forming a passage through which coolant is circulated, a first valve seat in the passage, a first valve acting against the first valve seat on the side toward. which the flow is directed, a thermostatic element in contact with the liquid in the passage, connected to the first valve, and acting in the direction to unseat the first valve, walls forming a second valve seat in the side wall of the passage, a second valve seating against the second valve seat on the outside, spring means urging the second valve toward seating position, a lost motion lever connection from the thermostatic element to the second valve for opening the second valve on further temperature rise after the first valve has unseated, the lost motion lever connection having freedom permitting opening of the second valve in response to pressure without regard to the position of the first valve.

4. In a coolant system for automotive engines, a passage, a first valve seat in the passage, opposed second and third valve seats in the side walls of the passage, a first valve cooperating with the first valve seat on the side toward which the flow is travelling, second and third valves on the outside of the passage cooperating with the second and third valve seats in closed position, a thermostatic element responding to the temperature of the liquid, an actuating rod connecting the thermostatic element with the first valve, there being a 10st motion slot on the actuating rod, toggle levers pivotally connecting from the lost motion slot at one end of each toggle lever, second and third opposed valve stems on the second and third valves extending inwardly in the passage and having lost motion slots at their inner ends connecting to the outer ends of the toggle levers, and a spring urging the second and third valve stems toward one another, there being freedom to open the second and third valves under pressure at all times, the thermostatic ele ment on first expanding opening the first valve and on further expanding and taking up the lost motion opening the second and third valves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Ivor Mar. 5, Huel Sept. 12, Sellin Feb. 7, Robinson June 10, Mock et a1 July 20, Wieand Aug. 27, Winslow et al Mar. 14, McLean Dec. 26, Malivert July 9, McCormick Oct. 22, I-Iromadka May 24, Giesler Nov. 15, Pratt Apr. 8, Anderson June 10, Pratt July 7, Clark Aug. 25, Julius Nov. 14, 

